iPhone users: What do you do with your headphones all day?
By Eddie Lopez. Tuesday, 7. August 2007, 03:45:48
The devil is in the details...
I'm sure I'm not the only person who wraps headphones around my music player. It's convenient, I never misplace them, they don't get tangled. But well, I can't do much with my iPod while it's wrapped up, but then again, I don't really need to.
I wonder then, for using the iPhone as an iPhone and an iPod, Do you have to store your headphones elsewhere? If you wrap them, you might not easily be able to answer an incoming call, unless you just slide the cords/headphones off the end (as I do when I plug it into my truck's audio input), but then you have to re-wrap the headphones everytime you want to call/answer/email/text/surf/etc...
Are you supposed to always wear them? I know there's the mic that's built in, and it seems to me this setup would work really well when you're already listening to music. But if you're carrying your phone around all day and occasionally want to listen to music, it seems to me you'd be most likely carrying the headphones in either in your pocket or... well, anywhere else and I'm certain I'd forget them when I want them most.
Has this even been remotely an issue with anyone? Just ball 'em up in the pocket? Extra pairs of headphone laying around where you'd most likely use them?
I'm sure I'm not the only person who wraps headphones around my music player. It's convenient, I never misplace them, they don't get tangled. But well, I can't do much with my iPod while it's wrapped up, but then again, I don't really need to.
I wonder then, for using the iPhone as an iPhone and an iPod, Do you have to store your headphones elsewhere? If you wrap them, you might not easily be able to answer an incoming call, unless you just slide the cords/headphones off the end (as I do when I plug it into my truck's audio input), but then you have to re-wrap the headphones everytime you want to call/answer/email/text/surf/etc...
Are you supposed to always wear them? I know there's the mic that's built in, and it seems to me this setup would work really well when you're already listening to music. But if you're carrying your phone around all day and occasionally want to listen to music, it seems to me you'd be most likely carrying the headphones in either in your pocket or... well, anywhere else and I'm certain I'd forget them when I want them most.
Has this even been remotely an issue with anyone? Just ball 'em up in the pocket? Extra pairs of headphone laying around where you'd most likely use them?
WIDGETIZE
Anonymous # 7. August 2007, 15:43
The iPhone (and many other modern phones) have Bluetooth.
It allows those people to use wireless headphones.
No problem at all.
Anonymous # 7. August 2007, 18:44
I use this technique I saw over on Lifehacker that involves wrapping the headphones around itself when not in use.
It's not ideal, but it prevents the frustration of having to untangle the damn things when you want to put them on. I've thought on more than a few occasions though that the iPod headphones (and headphones in general) are a major usability nightmare.
http://lifehacker.com/software/ipod/fast-and-easy-headphone-cord-wrapping-235772.php
Eddie_Lopez # 7. August 2007, 21:34
It's still *somewhat* of a problem.
Maybe if the iPhone *shipped* with bluetooth *headphones* (not headset for phone talking, but headphones for music listening) then I would consider your point more poignant, but they sell/market it with corded headphones that also work as a hands free kit, which means they consider the corded set to add to the user experience.
If however, every iPhone user I met all said "well, I just bought BT headphones... it hasn't been a problem," then I would also consider your point...but since I haven't read anyone doing that, I think the question still stands... at least I dont' think you should be so cavalier about calling it "no problem at all..."
Wallpapers # 11. August 2007, 23:52
Eddie_Lopez # 12. August 2007, 21:39
Something you'd be able to carry in your pocket? I haven't seen too many "ear bud" versions of bluetooth headphones.
infinity-1 # 18. September 2007, 00:06
A solution is needed to headphones though, I find that no matter how carefully I stow them they always get tangled up. I think it's because the weight of the earpieces on the ends of the wires makes them act like bolas, making them swing about and wrap around things. This suggests the solution is either ultra-light earpieces or heavier cables.
Anonymous # 19. September 2007, 06:07
I have a Belkin slipcase with a belt clip on the back. Coil the earphone cable, snake the plug end around the coil like you were wrapping a wreath with ribbon. Then you can stick the phones under the belt clip. It fits in a jeans or slacks pocket - or a backpack.
There's always an Altoids tin. But the coil method or the the lifehacker method to keep them straight.
There's only mono output for bluetooth heaphones on the iphone. So the heaphones are it for now.
The extra pairs of cheap earphones or speakers spread all around don't hurt, either.
bugscout # 8. February 2008, 21:54
i use headphones in the train every day. i buy new ones once a week, cause i´ve forgotten to take them with me.
i think this is a problem that will ever exist.
Anonymous # 11. February 2008, 22:32
I throw the earbuds in my shirt pocket and keep my iPhone in my pants pocket.:cheers:
Anonymous # 11. September 2008, 03:39
try this if you’re still dealing with tangled earbuds on the iphones:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3086178965711730635
I wrote 3M and told them to come up with a custom solution…til then, it’s a hack that works for me.
Anonymous # 11. August 2009, 22:12
This is a big problem for me. None of the bluetooth solutions work because they are all built for just one ear--with an iPhone, you want stereo, obviously!!
I've destroyed two sets of the standard earbuds already, awkwardly thrusting them into my pockets along with my keys. I can't believe there's not a good solution for this out on the market yet!!